Sanofi CEO Warns of ‘AI Washing’: The Need for Ethical AI in Healthcare Innovation
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries around the world, its potential in healthcare is particularly significant. Whether improving access to care, accelerating drug discovery, or combating physician burnout, AI promises to reshape the medical landscape. However, Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson recently warned business leaders to moderate their enthusiasm for AI and avoid the growing trend of “AI washing” – the practice of overselling AI capabilities. without fully understanding or mitigating its risks.
Speaking at the Fortune Global Forum in New York, Hudson highlighted the importance of leaders having realistic expectations about the role of AI in their business. “There’s a lot of AI washing, with CEOs talking about AI projects that aren’t fully thought through,” Hudson remarked. “While the potential is vast, we must be careful not to create an exaggerated perception of the immediate impact of AI. »
For Hudson, managing AI responsibly is essential, especially in healthcare. He advocates for clear guidelines and structures to ensure that AI is used effectively and ethically. Sanofi, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical giants, has established an AI ethics review board through which all AI projects must pass before being implemented. “You have to have rules of the game,” Hudson said, urging companies to be more sophisticated in how they approach and calibrate AI technologies.
Sanofi’s strategic change: focusing on biopharmaceutical innovation
Sanofi, ranked 297th in the Fortune Global 500, recently made a strategic decision to focus even more on innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector, divesting 50% of its consumer health business, Opella. This pivot is a clear signal that the company is betting on the future of drug development, with AI playing a central role in this vision.
Hudson sees the role of AI in healthcare as twofold: “Expert AI” And “an AI to snack on.” These terms describe how AI can have a tangible impact in specialized and everyday contexts.
Expert AI: accelerating drug discovery
“Expert AI” refers to the technology’s ability to achieve breakthroughs in structural biology and drug discovery. AI can help scientists identify key molecules, making the process of drug discovery for complex diseases faster and more efficient. According to Hudson, AI can improve the accuracy of drug development, reducing the time and costs traditionally associated with creating new drugs. By applying AI to research, Sanofi hopes to address some of the most pressing medical challenges, from cancer treatments to rare genetic diseases.
“AI is not just about automating tasks. It’s about equipping scientists with tools that help them explore new frontiers in medicine,” Hudson explained.
Snackable AI: Facilitating Everyday Healthcare Decisions
As “expert AI” tackles the future of drug development, “Snackable AI” is about integrating technology into everyday life in a practical and actionable way. Hudson compared this form of AI to the way apps like Waze provide real-time instructions to drivers, guiding them through small, important decisions on the road. Likewise, “snackable AI” can help people make smarter, more informed health choices in real time.
For example, AI can help users make everyday decisions about their health, from managing medications to tracking symptoms. Hudson highlighted Sanofi’s 18,000 customers who already use AI in this “snackable” format every day, helping them with areas such as medication adherence or lifestyle choices. “At scale, AI can help democratize access to health data, making it more personal and tailored,” he said. “This will help people make better decisions and access resources they might not otherwise have access to.”
Related: Ensuring Excellence in Healthcare Through Data Quality Management
The Future of AI in Healthcare: Transparency and Risk Management
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, Hudson recognizes that its potential is immense. However, he urges leaders to be transparent about the promises and limitations of technology. “AI represents a huge opportunity, and we cannot deny it. But we must be vigilant in managing the risks that arise,” Hudson warned. “It’s important for businesses to distinguish between what is possible today and what might be possible in the future.”
As the healthcare industry continues to face challenges such as physician burnout, access to care, and rising treatment costs, AI presents a promising solution to many of these problems. However, Hudson emphasizes that businesses must approach AI implementation with caution, ensuring it is used ethically and responsibly. By avoiding AI washing and focusing on meaningful applications of the technology, the healthcare industry can truly unlock the potential of AI to benefit patients, providers, and society as a whole.
Sanofi’s vision for the future
Sanofi’s commitment to harnessing the power of AI to solve complex healthcare problems is evident in its continued investments in biopharmaceutical innovation. With Hudson at the helm, the company is positioning itself to lead the way in the ethical integration of AI, focusing on both advanced drug discovery and everyday healthcare tools.
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the role of AI will undoubtedly expand. But for it to reach its full potential, companies must avoid overselling its capabilities and instead focus on implementing practical, transparent and ethical AI applications. For Sanofi, the future of healthcare isn’t just about cutting-edge technologies: it’s also about using these technologies to have a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.
